The Pride of London
Fansided

Tomas Kalas looking forward to Premier League return with Fulham, not Chelsea

By George Perry

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 04: Jordan Hugill (R) of Preston North End holds off the challenge of Tomas Kalas (L) of Fulham during the Sky Bet Championship match between Fulham and Preston North End at Craven Cottage on March 4, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ker Robertson/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 04: Jordan Hugill (R) of Preston North End holds off the challenge of Tomas Kalas (L) of Fulham during the Sky Bet Championship match between Fulham and Preston North End at Craven Cottage on March 4, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ker Robertson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Serial loanee Tomas Kalas has everything he needs at Fulham: consistent playing time and a chance to return to the Premier League. Take a bow, Chelsea, you’ve driven another prospect away.

Tomas Kalas helped bring Middlesbrough into the Premier League for the 2016/17. Boro manager Aitor Karanka hoped to retain Kalas in the top flight, seeing the young Czech as an integral part of Boro’s defence. Chelsea disagreed, though, and rewarded Kalas for his contribution to Boro’s promotion with another season in the Championship, this time at Fulham.

Kalas leads Fulham in interceptions and is second in clearances, and has Fulham in the playoffs for the final promotion spot. If Fulham return to the Premier League, Kalas wants to ensure he goes with them.

"Getting promoted would help, but anyway, everyone knows that I’d like to stay, not because I wouldn’t like to play anywhere else but because I’m playing every game and that’s all I need. I’m living in an area I know, so right now it’s perfect scenario for me to stay. – BBC"

Tomas Kalas will occupy a special place in the Chelsea loan army hall of infamy. He has played for six different teams on loan, while only appearing in two games for Chelsea. Kalas was a regular member of the squad at Vitesse, Middlesbrough and now Fulham. At each squad he earned the trust and respect of the manager and the affinity of the fans.

Chelsea responded to his achievements by dismissing him into football limbo. He never really had a look-in at Chelsea, but Chelsea never pulled the plug so he could create a stable career elsewhere. At every stage Kalas had the talent and ambition to at least fight for a spot in Chelsea’s squad. It was as if Chelsea declared he was a loan player, and would forever remain no more.

Must Read: Antonio Conte smartly congratulates Chelsea Academy on FA Youth Cup win

Perhaps Kalas looked at Nathan Ake’s experience and saw the alternate reality that he could be in had Chelsea kept him at Stamford Bridge. Kalas’ top priority is consistent playing time. He knows that is the only way he will improve and prove himself as a footballer. Ake’s scenario – wearing Blue but rarely leaving the bench – is a nightmare for a young player coming into his prime years. Kalas may think he dodged a bullet by having this season at Fulham.

Tomas Kalas’ situation is everything that Michael Emenalo’s detractors decry about Chelsea’s youth and loan army. Very few players are good enough to play at Chelsea. Fewer still are 17-23 years old – Kalas’ age range during his time at Chelsea. But once Chelsea determines that a player is not on track to wear Blue, they owe it to him to let him develop elsewhere.

Next: Joe Cole recalls John Terry's leadership at Chelsea: 'Like an older brother'

Neither Chelsea nor Tomas Kalas nor any of his loan clubs gain anything long-term from the current situation. For every Nathaniel Chalobah or Victor Moses there are several more like Tomas Kalas. Whenever a loan player loses interest in playing for Chelsea, the system has failed that player. Unfortunately, Tomas Kalas is not an isolated case.

Home/Chelsea FC Loan Watch